Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fuel Cells
Fuel Cells
Anode
Negative post of the fuel cell.
Conducts the electrons that are freed from the hydrogen molecules so that
they can be used in an external circuit.
Etched channels disperse hydrogen gas over the surface of catalyst.
Cathode
Electrolyte
Proton exchange membrane.
Specially treated material, only conducts positively charged ions.
Membrane blocks electrons.
Catalyst
http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.deb.html
Click on Diagram
http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/photos.html
Technology
Fuel Cell
Electric Battery
Gasoline Engine
System
Efficiency
24-32%
26%
20%
http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable
The phosphoric-acid fuel cell has potential for use in small stationary powergeneration systems. It operates at a higher temperature than PEM fuel cells,
so it has a longer warm-up time. This makes it unsuitable for use in cars.
This is one of the oldest designs. It has been used in the U.S. space program
since the 1960s. The AFC is very susceptible to contamination, so it requires
pure hydrogen and oxygen. It is also very expensive, so this type of fuel cell is
unlikely to be commercialized.
These fuel cells are best suited for large-scale stationary power generators
that could provide electricity for factories or towns. This type of fuel cell
operates at very high temperatures (around 1,832 F, 1,000 C). This high
temperature makes reliability a problem, but it also has an advantage: The
steam produced by the fuel cell can be channeled into turbines to generate
more electricity. This improves the overall efficiency of the system.
These fuel cells are also best suited for large stationary power generators.
They operate at 1,112 F (600 C), so they also generate steam that can be
used to generate more power. They have a lower operating temperature than
the SOFC, which means they don't need such exotic materials. This makes the
design a little less expensive.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable
Disadvantages
CO2 discharged with methanol reform
Little more efficient than alternatives
Technology currently expensive
Many design issues still in progress
Fuel Cells
Extra Slides
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/electrol.html